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Diana Lynn

Diana Marie Lynn (born Dolores Eartha Loehr, July 5, 1926[2] – December 18, 1971) was an American actress. She built her career by starring in Paramount Pictures films and various television series during the 1940s and 1950s. Two stars on Hollywood Walk of Fame are dedicated to her name.

Diana Lynn
Lynn in 1952
Born
Dolores Eartha Loehr

(1926-07-05)July 5, 1926
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedDecember 18, 1971(1971-12-18) (aged 45)
New York City, U.S.
Resting placeChurch of Heavenly Rest, New York
OccupationActress
Years active1939–1971
Spouse(s)John C. Lindsey (1948–1953) (divorced)
Mortimer Hall (1956–1971; her death)
Children4, including Dolly Hall[1]
AwardsHollywood Walk of Fame

Early years

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Lynn was born in Los Angeles, California. Her father, Louis Loehr, was an oil supply executive, and her mother, Martha Loehr, was a concert pianist.[3] Lynn was considered a child prodigy.[4] She began taking piano lessons at age 4,[5] and by the age of 12 was playing with the Los Angeles Junior Symphony Orchestra.

Lynn made her film debut playing the piano in They Shall Have Music [5] and was once again back at the keyboard, accompanying Susanna Foster, in There's Magic in Music, when it was decided that she had more potential than she had been allowed to show. Paramount Pictures changed her name to "Diana Lynn" and began casting her in films that allowed her to show her personality and developed her skills as an actress.

Her comedic scenes with Ginger Rogers in The Major and the Minor were well received, and in 1944 she scored an outstanding success in Preston Sturges' The Miracle of Morgan's Creek. She appeared in two Henry Aldrich films and played writer Emily Kimbrough in two films Our Hearts Were Young and Gay and Our Hearts Were Growing Up both co-starring Gail Russell.

 
Lynn in 1946

After a few more films, she was cast in one of the year's biggest successes, the comedy My Friend Irma with Marie Wilson as Irma, and Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in their film debuts. The group reprised their roles for the sequel My Friend Irma Goes West, and five years later Lynn was reunited with Martin and Lewis for one of their last films, You're Never Too Young.

 
Guy Madison and Diana Lynn in Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven, 1948

During the 1950s, Lynn acted in a number of films, portraying Spencer Tracy's daughter in the crime drama The People Against O'Hara and the female lead in the much lampooned Bedtime for Bonzo opposite Ronald Reagan. Lynn co-starred as the schoolteacher in the 1955 film, The Kentuckian, starring Burt Lancaster and Walter Matthau. She also had many TV leading roles during the 1950s, particularly in the middle years of the decade. As a solo pianist, she released at least one single on Capitol Records[6] with backing by the Paul Weston orchestra.

Stage

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Diana Lynn and Glenn Ford in Plunder of the Sun, 1953

In 1964, Lynn had a six-month stint on Broadway, replacing Barbara Bel Geddes in Mary, Mary.[4] In the early 1950s, she starred with Maurice Evans in The Wild Duck on Broadway.[7]

She also starred in runs of The Moon Is Blue in the United States and the United Kingdom.[8]

Recordings

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In 1947, a three-record album of Lynn's piano playing included Mozart's Rondo, Laura, and Body and Soul.[9]

Later years

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She acted frequently in television guest roles throughout the 1960s. By 1970, she had relocated to New York City, where she was running a travel agency. She appeared in Company of Killers, a film made for television. Paramount then offered her a part in a new film, Play It as It Lays, and after some consideration, Lynn accepted the offer and moved back to Los Angeles.[10]

In 1968, Lynn invited her friend Mart Crowley to housesit for her while she was out of town. While at her house over those five weeks, Crowley wrote the majority of his groundbreaking play about LGBT life in America, The Boys in the Band.[11]

Death

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Before filming started on Play It as It Lays, Lynn suffered a stroke and died on December 18, 1971,[12] at the age of 45.[10] Lynn was cremated. A funeral service was held at Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York City, and a memorial service was held at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills, California.[8][3]

Recognition

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In 1942, Parents magazine named Lynn "the most talented juvenile actress."[13] She has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: for motion pictures, at 1625 Vine Street and for television at 6350 Hollywood Boulevard.[14]

Family

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Lynn married architect John C. Lindsay December 18, 1948; they divorced in June 1953.[15] Lynn was then married in 1956 to Mortimer Hall, son of New York Post publisher Dorothy Schiff.[16]

Lynn's daughter Dolly Hall is a film producer.[citation needed]

Another daughter, Margaret "Daisy" Hall,[17] is an alumna of the Emma Willard School for Girls in Troy, New York, and as an actress, has starred in numerous French- and lesser-known American-produced films, during the 1980s, '90s, and 2000s.[18][17]

Partial filmography

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Television

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Radio appearances

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Year Program Episode/source
1952 Theatre Guild on the Air "The Silver Whistle"[19]
1953 Theatre Guild on the Air Quiet Wedding[20]

References

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  1. ^ "Diana Lynn - The Private Life and Times of Diana Lynn. Diana Lynn Pictures". www.glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com.
  2. ^ Copy of birth certificate at Astrodatabank. The frequently reported date Oct. 7 appears to be incorrect.
  3. ^ a b "Stroke Kills Actress Diana Lynn At 45". Santa Cruz Sentinel. December 19, 1971. p. 52. Retrieved June 26, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ a b "Actress Diana Lynn Was Piano Playing Prodigy". The Salina Journal. February 17, 1965. p. 16. Retrieved June 25, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ a b Coons, Robbin (June 4, 1943). "Dolly Gets Into Pictures And Is Now Diana Lynn". Big Spring Daily Herald. p. 2. Retrieved June 25, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  6. ^ Abrams, Steven; Settlemier, Tyrone. "Capitol 500 – 1000, 78rpm numerical listing discography". The Online Discographical Project. Retrieved October 12, 2012.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ Hopper, Hedda (December 13, 1951). "Stanley Kramer to Produce Movie About 'U.N. Family'". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. Part 4-Page 8. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  8. ^ a b "Actress Diana Lynn Dies From a Stroke at Age 45". The Bridgeport Post. December 19, 1971. p. 111. Retrieved June 25, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  9. ^ "1940s star Diana Lynn died in December 1971". The Kerrville Times. March 22, 1992. p. 41. Retrieved June 26, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  10. ^ a b "Diana Lynn Dies; Actress Was 45", The New York Times, p. 60, December 19, 1971
  11. ^ Brathwaite, Lester Fabian. "Mart Crowley Left Behind an Important if Imperfect Portrait of Gay Life". NewNowNext.com. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  12. ^ "Actress Diana Lynn Dies". The Lincoln Star. December 19, 1971. p. 2. Retrieved June 25, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  13. ^ "First Evening Gown Thrills Diana Lynn". Beatrice Daily Sun. August 29, 1943. p. 8. Retrieved June 25, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  14. ^ "Diana Lynn". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  15. ^ "Diana Lynn Divorces Criticizing Architect". Tucson Daily Citizen. June 13, 1953. p. 20. Retrieved June 26, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  16. ^ "Nuptials on Dec. 7 for Diana Lynn", The New York Times, p. 119, November 18, 1956
  17. ^ a b Max Messier (November 2005). "Treasure Island (1999)". Contactmusic.com.
  18. ^ Rader, Ron (2006). "Dolly Hall - bio info". DollyHall.net. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 19, 2007.
  19. ^ Kirby, Walter (April 6, 1952). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. p. 52. Retrieved May 16, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  20. ^ Kirby, Walter (March 15, 1953). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. p. 46. Retrieved June 25, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
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